People in Harsil, Badrinath to be rescued in two days: Bahuguna

The CM says all necessary steps are being taken to prevent epidemic outbreak in flood-hit areas

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said on Wednesday that people stranded in Harsil and Badrinath areas would be rescued in the next two days and all steps were being taken to prevent epidemic outbreak in the flood-affected regions.

The chief minister told reporters that people stranded in Harsil would be rescued till Thursday and those in Badrinath would also be evacuated in "one-two days" if the weather remains conducive to flights.

Bahuguna said state and central teams were testing water and studying other factors to see that there was no outbreak of an epidemic.

"There is a fear that an epidemic may not break out. Secretary health (of the state) and central teams were doing their study and were carrying medicines. Water testing is also being done," Bahuguna said.

Bahuguna told mediapersons that the state government had constituted a seven-member advisory committee on disaster management that will begin its work soon.

The chief minister said a meeting of state disaster management board was held Tuesday in which a decision was taken to form the committee.